Spike and rail retaining device



'Oct. 19,1926. 1,603,686

1 J. J. GREEN SPIKE AND RAIL RETAINING DEVICE Filed April 1926 T 5 m PATENT @FEHCE.

JEREMIAH J. GREEN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPIKE AND nan, RETAINING DEVICE.

Application filed April 20, 1926.

This invention relates to a combined spike retainer and device for retaining rails in position upon the ties thereof.

An important object of the invention is I to produce a device of this character which may be very cheaply and readily constructed, which is readily applied to both the rail and tie and which will effectually act not only to prevent loosening of the spikes, but will serve to hold the rail very firmly to the tie.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a plan View of a fragment of a tie and rail having retainers constructed in accordance with my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective of one of the spike retaining elements;

Figure 5 is a similar View of the other of the spike retaining elements.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a tie and 11 a rail having its base 12 seated upon a tie plate 13 which is, in turn, seated upon the upper surface of the tie. The rail is hold in position by the usual spikes 14-, the heads of which partially overlie the flanges of the base 12.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a pair of U-shaped members 15 and 16. The member 15 has thearms 17 thereof flat and spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between opposite side faces of the tie with which they are to coact. The member 16 has the arms 17 thereof provided with offsets 18 providing a space between the inner faces of the arms and the walls of the tie for the passage of the arms 17 of the member 15. Otherwise these members are identical in construction. The bights 19 of these members are each provided at their under edges With an angular flange 20 adapted to seat upon the under surface of the tie, at the same time that lugs 21 upon the upper surfaces of the arms of the U engage against the under surface of the rail flanges. When the lugs 21 and bights 19 are properly seated, each U-shaped member has the arms thereof inclining downwardly and extending be- Serial No. 103,319.

neath the rail and the free end of each arm V has an opening 22 formed therein for the passage of a securing element S, such as a spike whereby the U-shaped members are held in their proper positions. The bight of each member is further provided with a hooked flange or hood 23, the free edge 24 of which, when the member is in applied position, engages the upper surface of the coacting rail flange to prevent elevation of the rail from the tie. This hood extends over the retaining spike 14: and thus prevents this spike from elevating in the tie.

It will, of course, be understood that the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the invention and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. Means for retaining rails in position against the ties thereof comprising a U- shaped member the arms of which are adapted to flatly abut opposite side faces of the tie, the bight portion of said member having a flange for engagement with the upper surface of the rail flange, the arms of the U having lugs, the upper surfaces of which abut the under surface of the rail flange and means for securing the arms of the memher to the tie, the bight of the U having a flange for engagement with the upper surface of the tie.

2. Means for retaining rails in position against the ties thereof comprising a U- shaped member the arms of which are adapted to flatly abut opposite side faces of the tie, the bight portion of said member having a flange for engagement with the upper surface of the rail flange, the arms of the U having lugs the upper surfaces of which abut the under surface of the rail flange and means for securing the arms of the member to the tie, said flange overlying the heads of spikes securing the rail in position upon the tie.

3. Means for retaining rails in position against the tics thereof comprising a U- shaped member the arms of which are adapt-- ed to flatly abut opposite sides faces of the tie, the bight portion of said member having a flange for engagen'ient with the upper sur-, face of the rail flange, the arms of the U having lugs, the uppervsurfaces of which abut the under surface of the rail flange and means for securing the arms of the member to the tie, the bight of the U having a flange for engagement with the upper surface of the rail, said flange overlying the '5 heads of spikes securing the rail in position upon the tie. a

4. Means for retaining rails against separation from the supporting ties thereof comprising cross members secured to the side 10 face of the tie and each having at its upper end a portion abutting the under surface of the rail flange and a second portion engaging the upper surface of the rail flange the second portions of said members overlying the heads of spikes retaining the rail in position upon the tie.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JEREMIAH J. GREEN. 

